Safe treats at Placerville Spooktacular

CLIO STUDIO OWNER and designer, Thalia Pearce holds a Mad Hatter costume that she created for Halloween last year. Pearce designs custom wedding dresses, costumes and other attire in her studio at 451 Main Street in Placerville. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

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Who: Placerville Downtown Association, city of Placerville Recreation and Parks, Placerville Active 20/30 Club and the Placerville Lions Club

Where: Main Street in Placerville between Bedford Avenue and Sacramento Street

When: Wednesday, Oct. 31, trick or treating from 4 to 6 p.m.; costume contest at 6:10 p.m. at the Belltower; carnival from 4 to 6 p.m.;and the lighting of the pumpkin at 6:30 p.m.

Admission: Free

Information: Call 530-672-3436 or visit placerville-downtown.org

If you’re looking for a safe and un-boo-lievable environment for children to trick or treat on Halloween, Main Street in downtown Placerville is the place.

The annual Downtown Placerville Spooktacular, sponsored by Placerville Downtown Association, city of Placerville Recreation and Parks, Placerville Active 20/30 Club and the Placerville Lions Club, is holding its annual trick or treat festivities with most of the merchants on Main Street keeping their doors open late on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31, to hand out candy to children and children at heart — while the candy lasts.

According to Matt Lishman, recreation supervisor for the city of Placerville Recreation and Parks, most Main Street merchants have purchased more than 1,000 pieces of candy for trick or treating from 4 to 6 p.m.

“Main Street will be packed,” Lishman said.

Street activities

There will be also be a costume contest at 6:10 p.m. at the Belltower. The ages are broken into six age brackets; 3 and under, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, 10 to 13, 14 to 17 and adults. Prizes will be awarded by age groups and trophies will be handed out for best overall costumes.

“Contestants will circle around the Belltower in their costumes,” Lishman said.

Around 6:30 p.m. the lighting of pumpkin will take place near the Belltower, Lishman said. The office of Dean K. Sands, DMD, is providing the pumpkin.

“It’s a huge decoration,” Lishman said. “There will be a countdown like New Year’s Eve.”

Music will be provided by DJ Norm Hammond as trick or treaters stroll along Main Street and during the costume contest. The music will be Halloween themed, Lishman said.

More fun

Prior to the contest, the Placerville Lions Club will be hosting a carnival at Town Hall, 549 Main St.

Children 10 and under and their parents are encouraged to attend the Halloween party that will feature treats, games and prizes.

Lt. Kim Nida of the Placerville Police Department said Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic on Main from Bedford Avenue to Sacramento Street.

She noted in the nine years she’s worked for the department the event has been a safe and fun for families. In addition to patrol units on duty that night, volunteers from the SHIELDS (Seniors Helping In Enforcement Like Duties) will be assisting on Main Street.

“It’s a fun, safe happy atmosphere for the kids and everyone to attend and enjoy,” said Nida.

Business owner loves Halloween

New business owner to Main Street, Thalia Pearce loves Halloween.

On Sept. 1, she opened Custom Apparel and Costumes, 451 Main St., Suite 6.

Pearce said her husband David and their two children will hand out candy to trick or treaters.

“I’m excited about the trick or treating,” said Pearce.”Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love dressing up. I think we should get to dress up more than once a year. I think the night of everyone dressing up together is more fun than Christmas. My children are excited to help me out here.”

Since the opening of her store, most of Pearce’s clients have been working on Halloween costumes.

She not only makes Halloween costumes but she has been creating bridal wear and other outfits for almost 25 years.

A Placerville resident for the last five years, Pearce, 40, started sewing costumes in high school.

“The theater director in my high school knew I made my own costumes, so he asked me to make costumes for the spring musical,” Pearce said.

For the last five years, Pearce, has been making costumes from her Placerville home. Her husband David encouraged her to look into opening a shop in one of the vacant spaces on Main Street.

“It got to the point where it was less of a hobby and more of a full-time job,” Pearce said. “We looked at some options, and I decided that I wanted to be here. This place is perfect for me. It had to be a studio space where I can get my work done.”

For more information about the Downtown Placerville Spooktacular call 530-672-3436 or visit placerville-downtown.org.

CLIO STUDIO OWNER and designer, Thalia Pearce holds a Mad Hatter costume that she created for Halloween last year. Pearce designs custom wedding dresses, costumes and other attire in her studio at 451 Main St. in Placerville. Halloween is her favorite time of year, she says. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

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Mike Bush

Mike Bush has been a Staff Writer at the Mountain Democrat since August 2011. Follow him on Twitter @MBushMtDemo